Separated & Divorced

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Divorce has touched nearly every Catholic family in America. It is a painful process that affects every facet of human existence, a process in which many are hurt. Separation and divorce are difficult and usually cause grievous losses, yet this can be a time filled with potential for vibrant new growth and responsiveness to grace. Among the people for whom Jesus showed special care were those who suffered from the breakdown of the marriage relationship.

The Synod Fathers noted that “special discernment is indispensable for the pastoral care of those who are separated, divorced or abandoned. Respect needs to be shown especially for the sufferings of those who have unjustly endured separation, divorce or abandonment, or those who have been forced by maltreatment from a husband or a wife to interrupt their life together.”

- Pope Francis, AMORIS LÆTITIA (The Joy of Love), Chapter 242

About

MISSION

Our mission is to be a Catholic Faith resource of spiritual and practical help for families that are hurting because of broken relationships and to give hope to those recovering from separation, and divorce. Our energies are directed toward supporting, helping, enabling and empowering each other in that journey. We wish to belong fully to our Faith Family, to be a gift that inspires and a lesson by which others may learn and grow.

SPIRITUAL DIRECTORT

CONTACT

Help for Troubled Marriages

During this challenging time in your life, God’s love and support can come from compassionate Catholic people and organizations that can guide us to a new life journey with the following support:

The following two resources are for those who may still have hope to work on their marriage:

​RETROUVAILLE

(English​​ & Spanish)

The Retrouvaille Program consists of a weekend experience combined with post-weekend sessions. It is designed to provide the tools to help put your marriage in order again. The main emphasis of the program is on communication between husband and wife. It will give you the opportunity to rediscover each other and to examine your lives together in a new and positive ways.

​This Referral Directory contains the names and information of Therapists who are in private practice or are part of a larger group or clinic. Each Therapist is either Catholic or Christian and has agreed to uphold the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Office of Family LifeAnnette Vichot

Support Groups

The following groups are for those Catholics who are seeking support after their separation or divorce has become final:

• Hope that there is a life after divorce

• A place to come and share your story and learn from others

• A place to further the spiritual, emotional, educational and social welfare of Separated and Divorced Catholics and their families.

If interested in starting a support group in your parish, with free training, contact:

Resources

ONLINE

THE BEGINNING EXPERIENCE (English)

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The Beginning Experience is a structured weekend program where widowed, separated and divorced persons are guided through their grief process. The Beginning Experience is an international peer ministry.

BOOKS

DIVORCED. CATHOLIC. NOW WHAT?

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This book is written to address the core challenges every Catholic experiences with divorce from the perspective of their Catholic faith. Living the Catholic faith is the key to recovering from divorce.

​When a marriage ends it is more than a separation of two people. It is a death of an important part of their lives. Divorce and Beyond, the popular program for adults who have gone through a recent divorce, offers readers the support and guidance they need to help them through the divorcing process.

​Rebuilding features Fisher’s “divorce process rebuilding blocks,” a proven nineteen-step process for putting one’s life back together after divorce. The “rebuilding” model makes the process healthier and less traumatic for those who are divorcing or divorced—and their children.

​Divorce and separation are painful experiences, particularly for children. Children may not fully understand what is happening between their parents. They may think that they are at fault, or feel like they are caught in the middle. As the divorce or separation unfolds and major changes in family structure and dynamics start to take place, children may become overwhelmed by their reactions.

​This book takes an honest look at the effects that divorce can have in the life of a teenager or young adult, and the ways that they can move toward healing and forgiveness after their parents' divorce. Although aimed at teenagers and young adults, this book is a valuable resource for counselors, ministers, religious educators, social workers, and divorced parents themselves. Ideal for both individual and group use.

​Stahl knows parents are not perfect, and he uses that knowledge to show imperfect parents how to settle their differences in the best interests of the children. Packed with real-world examples, this book avoids idealistic assumptions, and offers practical help for divorcing parents, custody evaluators, family court counselors, marriage and family therapists and others interested in the best interests of the children.